Dunoon & Cowal Business Association

Listed are information and application details for grants that have recently been published

1/ The Allan Evans Memorial Trust

The Trust supports land and building preservation projects that result in permanent preservation for the public benefit. Priority will be based on to the beauty, historic interest and ecological interest of the land and buildings in question. The Trust is managed by Coutts and Co.

http://www.ffhb.org.uk/detail.php?CodeID=104

2/. Nectar Small Business Awards 2011

The Nectar Business Small Business Awards are open to all UK small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and UK Social Enterprises. The awards are completely free to enter and they aim to celebrate business success, acknowledge best practice and recognise the innovative ideas and outstanding achievements of UK businesses over the past year.

 Small Business of the Year.

 Start-Up Business of the Year.

 Entrepreneur of the Year.

 Contribution to the Community Award.

 Online Business of the Year

http://www.nectar.com/business-sba2011/index.rnectar

3/. The Pitch 2011 - Now Open to Applications

The Pitch is an annual competition which aims to find the UK's most exciting and innovative small companies and entrepreneurial talent. Entrants must pitch their business idea to a panel of industry experts who will scrutinise business concepts and presentation skills, searching for the best of the best. Successful entrepreneurs will be chosen from five regions to present their product or service, with five winners plus a wildcard entry selected to go through to a live grand final in London. Business ideas may be in any field; however, the judges will assess all pitches by looking for innovation, engagement with customers, sound financial and business planning, and an understanding of where the opportunities exist in the market for the product or service. The winning entrepreneur will receive a package of business support prizes worth £50,000. Every entrant who takes part in The Pitch will receive expert advice on their business idea, guidance on their business plan and access to a range of business resources. Each finalist will also receive extensive media coverage. To enter, businesses must be based in the UK, established for less than three years at the time of entry and employ no more than 20 members of staff. The contest comprises regional heats taking place in the summer, followed by a grand final later in the year. Scotland - 18 August (entry deadline 18 July).

http://www.thepitch2011.com/

4/. Barclays Business Take One Small Step Competition - 2011 Round Launched

Launched today for the 2011 round, the aim of the Barclays Business Take One Small Step Competition is to find people with ambition, passion and, most importantly, a great business idea.There is £50,000 to be won in each of the nine regions of Great Britain. The prize must be paid into a Barclays Business Account relating to the winning submission and upon which the entrant is a bona fide signatory. Winning businesses will also benefit from expert advice from a Barclays Business Manager.

The brief for business ideas is open - it could be a lifelong ambition or a recent brainwave. It could be a personal experience or a distant dream or even a revolutionary concept that changes the world. It's an open invitation and anyone with a good business idea and the drive to make it happen could win .Entry is open to residents of England, Scotland or Wales, aged 18 and over at the time of entry. Any type of business is eligible.

Applications must be submitted by 27 April 2011. https://www.takeonesmallstep.co.uk/

Members wishing further details on any of the above should visit the appropriate site and please be aware of the time scales for submission of applications.